Sales Tax down 14.5
Increased optimism.
That’s how Odessa Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mike George referred to the attitude in Odessa after dismal sales tax numbers appear to be leveling off.
"I have seen and heard of improvements in various segments in the economy locally," George said. "I’ve certainly have witnessed increased optimism from almost everyone I talk to."
In the past few months, year-to-year comparison of sales tax have been off as much as 25 percent, but March boasted a sales check receipt of $1,529,305.85. That amount is down only 14.5 percent from the March 2009 check of $1,788,611.66.
Assistant City Manager James Zentner said he tended to agree with George that businesses seemed to be picking up.
"I don’t have anything specific, but it just seems to be more busy out there," Zentner said.
Of the sales tax revenue, the city received $1,223,444.68 while the Odessa Development Corp. will obtain $305,861.17. The Ector County Hospital District brought in $1,344,346.23 in March, a 23.7 percent drop from a year ago.
"I was pleased to see that were only down 14 percent, because we are still comparing ourselves to a very good year," George said. "I would anticipate that the economy will grow from now until the end of next year on a slow but steady basis."
Sales tax revenue is generated by sales tax income from the two months prior collection. March collection is based on January sales.
BY THE NUMBERS
Here is a look at November sales tax checks for area cities.
City.....Check......Pct. Change
Alpine $92,611.54 up 1.36
Andrews $228,047.70 down 18.18
Big Lake $79,403.05 up 5.89
Big Spring $401,868.00 down 3.85
Crane $44,176.33 down 33.53
Fort Stockton $151,606.15 down 22.53
Goldsmith $17,185.32 down 9.95
Grandfalls $1,807.13 up 4.98
Kermit $39,713.68 down 4.34
Lamesa $82,377.83 down 4.97
Marfa $21,798.11 up 8.16
McCamey $21,465.84 down 11.56
Midland $2,339,417.78 down 15.24
Monahans $100,792.34 down 11.6
Odessa $1,529,305.85 down 14.5
Pecos $79,315.20 down 23.52
Presidio $32,763.04 up 28.06
Pyote $786.42 down 58.86
Rankin $6,841.61 up 32.43
Seminole $84,439.67 down 4.82
Stanton $20,641.61 down 19.24
Toyah $391.04 down 50.77
Wickett $9,423.88 down 5.37
Wink $11,516.26 down 6.35
